Chapter 29 — The Language of Hands

The graduation exam results were announced one morning in early July, and Thao Nguyen opened the results page on her phone with trembling hands and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that her score was enough for her to confidently apply to the field she wanted. She immediately texted the news to Gia Bach, who was equally anxiously waiting for her own results.

"Enough points!" she texted, accompanied by countless celebratory emojis.

"Me too!" Gia Bach texted back a few seconds later, and the two immediately video called each other, laughing in common joy, even though the small phone screen could not fully convey the excitement welling up in both of their hearts.

The following days were a busy time of carefully researching suitable universities and majors. Thao Nguyen spent hours learning about Social Work at a large university in Hanoi, which has an in-depth training program on working with people with disabilities, including modules on sign language and inclusive education - a coincidence that made her feel like this path had been waiting for her for a long time, she just never knew of its existence before entering the club.

Gia Bach, after many nights of consideration, decided to apply to the Linguistics major of another university, also in Hanoi, where recently began opening more in-depth courses on sign language, in collaboration with a few research organizations on the Deaf community.

Some nights, the two sat together at the study table, each with a laptop, scrolling through admission information pages, comparing training programs, tuition fees, and internship opportunities. There were times when they gently argued about whether to prioritize a more prestigious school or a school with a program that better suited their passions, but in the end they always came back to a common point - they both wanted to choose a path that allowed them to continue doing meaningful things like they did at the club, not simply chasing a prestigious degree.

"My parents were a bit worried at first, wanting me to study a more 'realistic' field, making it easier to get a job," Gia Bach shared on one such evening. "But when I explained clearly, the field of Linguistics specializing in signs is in dire need of human resources, especially people like me who understand both language and Deaf culture from my family, and my parents fully supported me."

"My parents are the same," Thao Nguyen replied, recalling the tearful conversation with her parents when she explained her decision to change her direction from Economics to Social Work. "At first my dad was a bit surprised, but after hearing me talk about what he went through last year, he just said one sentence, that he believes that whatever path you choose with all your heart, you will follow it to the end."

"Both schools are in Hanoi, less than half an hour away from each other," Gia Bach said one evening when the two sat together at a familiar tea shop, where they had their first deep conversation about Thao Nguyen's past nearly a year ago. "I've been worried for weeks about whether we'll have to study apart, but now I'm completely relieved."

"Me too," Thao Nguyen replied, holding his hand across the table. "I think, even if we have to study far apart, we will still try to keep in touch, but it's true that studying in the same city makes everything much easier."

"Besides," Gia Bach added, his eyes sparkling with a new idea, "I think we can form a small volunteer group together, connecting university students in Hanoi with the Deaf community, like the club I did in high school, but on a larger scale. I had a brief discussion with Mr. Phuc, he is very supportive of this idea."

That idea made Thao Nguyen extremely excited, feeling like the journey she started from an impulsive afternoon registering for a club nearly a year ago, is now not ending when she leaves high school, but is opening into a new, larger and more promising chapter.

As for Binh An, although it is still two years before it is his turn to make important decisions about his future, his success at the city-level painting competition has opened up many new opportunities for him. A prestigious art training center, after learning about his story and talent through the No Distance Festival event, proactively contacted him and invited him to participate in an advanced drawing class for students with special talents, with full sign language interpreter support throughout the course.

"I think you'll really get into Fine Arts school in the future," Thao Nguyen told her one evening, when they both sat down to review the paintings he had completed over the past year, ranging from simple drawings to works rich in emotions and much more sophisticated techniques.

"I think so too," Binh An replied, his eyes full of determination. "And this time, I'm not afraid to say my dream anymore, because I know that no matter what, my family will support me, just like everyone has supported me throughout the past year."

Her words deeply touched Thao Nguyen, realizing that the journey to repair the gap between the two sisters not only helped Binh An feel heard, but also gave him a new confidence, daring to dream, daring to pursue what he is truly passionate about without being shy or hiding it like before.

At the end of July, when the official admission notices for both Thao Nguyen and Gia Bach arrived within the same week, both families decided to hold a small joint party to celebrate, inviting Ms. Xuan, Mr. Phuc, and a few core members of the club to attend. The party took place cozy in Gia Bach's backyard, where his parents - Thao Nguyen people who are now familiar and can communicate directly by sign, although still a bit clumsy - prepared a table full of delicious food.

In the middle of the party, Gia Bach's father, through his son's translation, expressed to Thao Nguyen something that made her extremely emotional. "Dad said, Mom and Dad are very happy because Gia Bach found a companion who really understands and respects his family's world," Gia Bach translated, his voice also somewhat choked. "My parents thank me for not only learning the language, but also learning how to recognize and appreciate my family's culture."

Thao Nguyen bowed her head in thanks, trying to hold back the tears of happiness that were about to flow, then responded directly by sign, without the need for a translator: "I'm the one who should thank you, because the family has welcomed you as part of itself." Gia Bach's mother's eyes lit up with emotion when she saw the young girl gesturing directly to her, without her son standing in the middle as a bridge, a small but meaningful moment for a family accustomed to always needing someone to translate when communicating with the outside world.

That night, when returning home, Thao Nguyen sat in her room, opened the new notebook Gia Bach gave her, and wrote the first lines for a new chapter in her life: "Soon, I will enter a new journey - college, a familiar but strange city, new friends, new challenges. But this time, I am no longer afraid like the girl who stood in front of the bathroom mirror clumsily and alone practicing signs all those years ago. I have family, I have Binh An, I have Gia. Bach, there is an entire community that has taught me the most valuable lesson — that true connection is always worth trying, no matter how many stumbles we have to go through." She closed the book, turned off the light, and fell asleep with a heart full of hope for what lies ahead.

A few days later, the whole family went shopping together for necessary items for the upcoming college year — from a new laptop to small items for the dorm room Thao Nguyen planned to stay in during her first year. Binh An followed the whole family, excitedly giving suggestions on choosing colors for each item, and before leaving the store, he insisted on buying her a small map of Hanoi, pointing at the distance between the two universities of Thao Nguyen and Gia Bach, measuring seriously like a true expert.

"It's very close, only a twenty minute bus ride," he gestured, nodding in satisfaction as if he were the one who had to confirm that the distance was close enough for his sister's peace of mind. "You and Mr. Gia Bach will definitely be fine."

Thao Nguyen laughed at his serious but cute concern, hugged him right in the middle of the crowded store, her heart filled with a simple happiness that she knew she would always carry, no matter where she went in the next stages of her life.